Why should I pay?

[zoethe]

The other day Ferrett was having a debate with someone over assorted political issues. One that came up was the Affordable Healthcare Act. This person, in their* 30s, demanded to know why they should pay for health insurance when they were young and healthy. What, exactly, were they getting out of the money they were spending for insurance

Comments

[mplsindygirl]

I'm happy to pay taxes. My family certainly benefits in many ways. I rather like the story about the man who didn't want to pay taxes (and therefore did not), and his house caught fire. The fire department showed up, made sure people were safe, and watched it burn, and hosed down the surrounding properties of taxpayers as needed.

[zoethe]

That used to happen in Fairbanks, when anything outside of city limits was on fire subscription. Numerous times, the fire department was there to ensure no loss of life and the safety of homes on either side. And the police department was there to protect the fire fighters from enraged assholes who, up until that moment, didn't see why they had to pay for something they didn't use.

They couldn't fight those fires, because if they did, people would stop paying. And they couldn't run without those payments. It was harsh, but people knew the consequences. They just didn't believe it would ever happen to them.

[tfcocs]

Thank you! This is one of the most cogent articles that I have ever read about the rationale for insurance.

[caudelac]

I know you're not shocked, but I agree with this post so hard.

[anonymousalex]

Setting aside the (generally valid) arguments you make, I also think that people who argue this way are generally looking at things through some seriously unenlightened self-interest

[runeshower]

Very well said!